this one
Paul Moffett

Down On The Corner
By Paul Moffett

• In the Corrections and Clarifications Dept., I was gently rebuked for referring to Tantric as "the band formerly known as Days of the New" in last month's Upcoming Music section. Days of the New is, of course, in existence and working, according to DotN drummer Ray Rizzo. It seems that the group is having a considerable battle with media referring to Tantric in such a fashion, as though DotN didn't exist any longer. My apologies for the error which was really just a throw-away line. I just have to learn to stop throwing those lines like that...

• The Benefit for Bob Rosenthal, held at the Comedy Caravan on January 29, was a smashing success - the main room was sold out, the lobby was packed and the musicians played until well after midnight. According to organizer Bret Sohl, the event raised in excess of $8,000 to go toward Rosenthal's medical expenses.

Bob Rosenthal was in attendance for most of the evening and led the audience in the singing of his "signature" tune, "Bunny Foo Foo" before he left, citing fatigue.

Additional donations towards Bob Rosenthal's medical expenses may be sent in care of Bret Sohl, Comedy Caravan, POB 4971, Louisville, KY 40204.

• In the Open Stage department, there are now enough of them going on that the folks who run them are seeking publicity. Tom Flood's article about the Tuesday night event at the Lighthouse highlights the pluses and minuses of one style of event. For those folk in the often-ignored South End, there is the Sunday night Open Stage at Rubbies' BBQ, 6905 Southside Dr., hosted by Crackerbox Palace. That one runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

• Gist Piano, the Louisville dealer for Steinway & Sons, picked up the Steinway & Sons Partners in Performance Award, which is given to dealers who excel in eight categories including institutional sales, concert-and-artist programs, customer service and product knowledge. Steinway & Sons make what are arguably the world's best pianos.

• From publicist and perenniel WFPK/WUOL on-air temp Leslie Stewart's monthly report Reverb comes news that Louisville violinist Gregory Fulkerson got a mention in the January 15 New Yorker's listing of "Disks of Distinction" for his Bridge Records recording of the J.S. Bach solo partitas and sonatas. That, plus a very positive review in London's ClassicFM, companion magazine to the radio service.

• Also from Reverb, Dharmachine is seeking a new vocalist. Interested parties may contact Jeffrey Smith at Jeffrey@dharmachine.com.

The Nasty Weather Blues Band is looking for a new bassist and drummer. Contact Don at Dmanstudio@webtv.net.

• Is a rumor you hear twice more likely to be true than one you heard only once? From Reverb and my source at a local music store, we hear that Buckit has disbanded, as David Keith has moved over to Gladstone. Former Buckit-eers Adam and Jeremy will transmogrify into heavy blues/rock act Bullfrog, according to Ms. Leslie. (BTW, Ms. Stewart informed LMN a while back that, as she is of Scottish heritage, her first name is pronounced "Less-lie" rather than "Lez-lie." Now you know the rest of the story.)

• Bassist Mike Lynch has moved from Blue Swing Shooz to the Mudcats, in an entirely amenable shift, according to BSSer Reed Davis. Must be true, Lynch announced it during the Shooz set at the Mary Jean Zena Memorial Show.

• Lexington banjo wiz Tim Lake has released a new CD called Kentucky Home, which features - wait for it - his version of a variety of Kentucky-oriented tunes. Lake also reports that he has found a new distributor for his records, following the bankruptcy of the J. Peterman Company, through which he was distributing his last two live recordings. It's a story. Ask Tim to tell you about it if you see him. Check his site at www.timlake.com .

• Since we were talking about bluegrass (weren't we?), take note of this: Mike Bucayu, host of the Wednesday night Bluegrass jam session at the Lighthouse, is soliciting feedback regarding the possibility of forming a Louisville bluegrass music association, tentatively called Bluegrass Anonymous. If you find this of interest, contact Bucayu at fstylemb1@aol.com or Chris Brandstatt at christbrandstatt@pilgrimit.com or email to bluegrassanon1@hotmail.com.

• The 8th Annual Philadelphia Music Conference is coming up on June 13-16. Lotsa opportunity to network and schmooz, schmooz and network. Call `em at 215-587-9550

• The 2001 USA Songwriting Competition is accepting entries until May 31, 2001. The Grand Prize is $50,000 in cash, merchandise and exposure. (Hm. How do you measure exposure in dollars?) There are fifteen categories to enter. For more information, log on to www.songwriting.net or call 1-877-USA-SONG.

•The 2001 Musician's Atlas is now available, featuring 368 pages of contact names, addresses, e-mail, phone numbers and names categorized in a variety of useful ways for musicians. A most useful reference for players on the way up (or out or whichever way.) Log on to www.musiciansatlas. Com or call 973-655-1238.

Codas

• Sonocia J. Harris, 88, died February 19 in Louisville. She was a former president emeritus of the Louisville Gospel Choral Union, founder of the Harris Singers and a member of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.

• Richard I. Hiller, 72, died in Louisville on February 18. He was a jazz musician who played with the Ovation Orchestra and a member of the American Federation of Musicians.

• Dr. Maurice I. "Moe" Laney, 79, formerly of Louisville, died Feb.6 in Cape Canaveral, Fla. He was a former music theory professor for the University of Louisville and former choir director of Highland Presbyterian Church; and a former president of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity.

• George Wayne Shaw Jr, 24, died in Shepherdsville on February 18. He was a musician.